Improvement in oscillating- steam-engines



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FRANK HILIAVARI), OF OINOIN AT1, OH lO, ASSIGIYOR TO HIMSELF, DEXTER D. HAR-D Y, AN l.) HENRY O. DART, OF SAME PLACE.

Letters Pfl-tent No. 84,206, dated November 17, 1868i `INIPRO-V'EIVIIIElNT IN OSCILLATING- STEAM-ENGINES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concernl Be it known that I, FRANK HILLWARD, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oscillating Steam-Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of oscillating engines in which the cent-re of oscillation is at such a distance from the end of the cylinder as to permit of the valve being situated between the cylinder and centre of oscillation, so that the ports of the engine may be opened and closed by the movement of the cylinder; and my invention consists,

First, in the combination and arrangement of the V-shaped joints or hinges, upon which the cylinder of the engine oscillates or vibrates, the frame-work ofthe engine and its cylinder.

Secondly, in such an arrangement ofthe pivots with regard to each other, and to the means for adjusting them, that any wear between the parts thereof can be adjusted, and the bearings for the upward and downward pressure of the cylinder be always preserved in line with eachother.

Thirdly', in a provision for taking steam and exhausting at points inline with the pivots.

Fourthly, in an independent Valve-motion, by which the valve is moved a 'distance equal to the lap, and the slight extra distance necessary to give a lead to the engine. In other words, this independent motion permits the use of a lap-valve in this class of engine,- and puts the lead on properly.

In the accompanying drawings` -Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an engine embodying my invention.

IFigure 2 is a sectional perspective view.

Figure 3 is a detached view, exhibiting the construction and arrangement of the pivots on the frame.

A is the cylinder, between which and the centre of oscillation the valve-chamber C is situated. This chamber communicates with the ends of the cylinder, through ports O I), with the steam-pipe E through port F, and with the exhaust-pipe G through port H. The pipes E G termina-te at the centre of oscillation,

.and are connected to the ordinary stationary pipes by the flexible interior tube of rubber, I. They may, if preferred, he connected at this point with ordinary swivel couplings, properly packed. 'lt will he seen, in this connection, that the steam has no connection with the cent-re on which the cylinder oscillnte's, 'and therefore the latter is not so liable to become heated in operation.

The. cylinder A is connected to the fname J by means of a pivot-joint or hinge, composed of hardened steel male Vs, K, and female -Vs, L.

It will be seen that, of the three male Vs, the two outside are connected to cylinder-bracket a, and the centre one to the frame J, and of the three female Vs, the two outside are connected to the frame J, and the centre one to the cylinder-bracket.

-When linked together, they will resist upward and downward pressure, and will permit theoscillation of the cylinder under the greatest pre'ssru'es, with but little if any friction, and, as far as my present experiments extend, without perceptible wear. But it is to allow for possible wear that the male Vs are arranged to point in one direction, for if they were to point in opposite'directions, and become rounded at the edge, they would jamb in oscillation. To take up lost motion in the joint, and to preserve the pivots on an equal bearing, and always in line, it is only necessary to use two adjusting-screws, M N, one in the centre of the fra-me, and the other in the centre of the cylinder-bracket, a. One great advantage arising from the absence of friction at the centre of oscillation, is, that the side wear on the piston-rod and stuling-box, and the side scrubbing of the cylinder, are principally obviated. In the operation of oscillating engines, in which the steam is taken through the trunnions, there is an immense amount of friction, (by reason of the size of and pressure on the trunnions,) opposed to the action ofthe piston-rod and piston in pulling the cylinder over, and the consequence is that the stuIing-box is worn to an oval form, and the cylinder is worn unequally. This is urged as a great objection to oscillating engines. In the engineherein described, this objection is almost entirely obviated, there being so nearly a total absence of friction, that the cylinder will swing over, pendulumlike, by its own gravity, or with but slight aid from the piston-rod. y

The ports ofthe engine are governed by the oscillation ofthe cylinder under the valve almost entirely, and it is only in order that I may use a lap-valve, and give a lead to the engine that I connect to the valve-'stem an independent valve-motion, which is coincident with the motion ofthe piston, both terminating their strokes at the same time. This motion gives a reciprocating motion to the valve O, to an extent exactly equal to the lap and lead only, and it consists of a bell-crank, I, pivoted to the liame at p, link Q, and rod R, the latter' being connected to an eccentric-wrist, S, on the disk T.

The rod R is made adjustable in the long arm of the I have operated this engine successfully in the pendulons position, as shown, and also reversed, horizontal, and inclined. For an oscillating engine With lap and lead, it has been practically proved to be adapted for very cheap manufacture.

I claim herein as new, and of my inventionl. The combination and arrangement of the frame J, cylinder A, and V-shaped joint or hinge, substantially as shown and described.

2. The arrangement ofthe pivots K and L, by which the Wear between the parts thereof 'may at any time be taken up, substantially as shown and described.

3'. The arrangement of the adjusting-screws M N, with reference to the V-shapedpieces K and L, for the purpose of taking np lost motion and preserving the pivots in line. i

of reciprocating` the valve the short distance equal only' to the lap of the valve, and the slight additional distance necessary to give a propel' lead to the engine, substantially as described.

In testimony ofrwhich invention, I hereunto set my hand.

FRANK MILLWARD.

fitnesses J AMES H. LAYMAN, J OHN H. MCGARREN. 

